The Qinghai Delingha Photothermal Power Station has an installed capacity of 50 megawatts and is equipped with a molten salt energy storage system. The designed annual power generation is 146 million kilowatt hours, which can save 46000 tons of standard coal per year.

Significant achievements have been made in the development of new energy in China since the new era

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, various regions and departments have conscientiously implemented the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and effectively strengthened the guarantee work in legislation, planning, and policies around the development of new energy. Established a system of fully guaranteed acquisition, fixed electricity prices, and financial subsidies for wind and photovoltaic power; Develop and implement plans for renewable energy, hydrogen energy, and other fields, forming a planning system from national to local, from medium to long term to five-year, and from comprehensive to diversified; Establishing and improving the responsibility weight system for renewable energy electricity consumption and the green electricity certificate system, improving electricity pricing policies and new energy development and construction management policies, implementing market-oriented and competitive allocation of new energy resources, organizing the construction of large-scale wind and photovoltaic bases, etc., have effectively ensured the large-scale and rapid development of new energy. Through continuous efforts, China's new energy has achieved a leapfrog development from small to large to strong, from following and leading, injecting new momentum into economic development, contributing new forces to energy supply guarantee, and providing new solutions for global energy transformation.

China has a large installed capacity of new energy, consistently ranking first in the world for many years, accounting for about 40% of the world's total, which is the sum of the United States, the European Union, and India. As of the end of 2023, the installed capacity of new and renewable energy generation in China has exceeded 1.5 billion kilowatts, reaching 1.52 billion kilowatts, historically surpassing the installed capacity of thermal power and becoming the main body of electricity installation, accounting for over 50% of the total installed capacity of power generation in the country. Among them, the installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power generation has exceeded 1 billion kilowatts, reaching 1.05 billion kilowatts, accounting for 34% of the total installed capacity of power generation in China, exceeding 1/3. In terms of varieties, hydropower (including pumped storage) has a capacity of 420 million kilowatts, wind power has a capacity of 440 million kilowatts, and solar power has a capacity of 610 million kilowatts, ranking first in the world for 19 consecutive years, 14 consecutive years, and 9 consecutive years, accounting for approximately 30%, 43%, and 42% of the world's total, respectively. In addition, the development of various clean energy and new energy storage is accelerating. As of the end of 2023, the installed capacity of biomass power generation in China has reached 44.14 million kilowatts, geothermal heating (cooling) has reached 1.33 billion square meters, and the installed capacity of new energy storage that has been put into operation in China has reached 31.39 million kilowatts.

The development speed of new energy in China is fast, with an average annual growth rate of double digits. It has become the main body of newly installed electricity in the country, accounting for more than half of the world's newly installed wind and photovoltaic power. Since 2012, China's wind power has grown six times, with an average annual growth rate of about 20%; Photovoltaics have grown 184 times, with an average annual growth rate of around 60%. Since 2016, the proportion of new and renewable energy installed capacity in China has exceeded 50% of the total new electricity installed capacity, reaching 85% in 2023, becoming the main body of new electricity installed capacity in China. Since 2020, China's wind and solar power has added over 100 million kilowatts of installed capacity for three consecutive years, of which 290 million kilowatts were added in 2023, accounting for approximately 63% of the global wind and solar power installed capacity. In addition, the new energy storage will add approximately 22.6 million kilowatts of installed capacity in 2023, which is 2.6 times the total of previous years.

The operation quality of new energy in our country is good, achieving high-level consumption and utilization, and becoming an important force in ensuring energy supply. In recent years, China's new energy generation has maintained a relatively high utilization rate. In 2023, the national average utilization rate of wind power was 97.3%, and the national average utilization rate of photovoltaic power was 98%. The amount of new energy generation has been continuously increasing, and its proportion has steadily increased, highlighting its role in ensuring energy and electricity supply. In 2023, the annual renewable energy generation in China is about 3 trillion kilowatt hours, accounting for about one-third of the total electricity consumption in society. Among them, wind and photovoltaic power generation amounts to 1.43 trillion kilowatt hours, accounting for approximately 15.8% of the total electricity consumption in society, higher than the global average of 13%.

China has a high level of new energy technology and is in a leading position globally. China's new energy industry has always adhered to meeting constantly changing market demands through technological innovation. The onshore low wind speed wind power technology is world-class, while the offshore large capacity wind turbine technology maintains international synchronization. It has reached the world's advanced level in precision wind measurement, ultra large wind turbines, floating foundations, flexible DC, intelligence and other fields. The maximum single unit capacity of offshore wind turbines has exceeded 20000 kilowatts, and the maximum length of wind turbine blades exceeds 123 meters, both of which are the world's largest. The conversion efficiency of photovoltaic modules in operation has exceeded 23%, ranking at the world's leading level. New battery technologies such as perovskite batteries continue to innovate and break through, with laboratory certification efficiency exceeding 33.9%, breaking world records. In the past decade, the development costs of wind power and photovoltaics have decreased by 60% and 80% respectively. The average cost of wind power per kilowatt hour has decreased to 0.26 yuan, and the average cost of photovoltaics per kilowatt hour has decreased to 0.31 yuan, achieving affordable grid access. Hydrogen production technology has formed its own advantages, and ocean energy technology is also actively exploring.

China's new energy industry has strong competitiveness and has established an advanced, complete, and internationally competitive full industry chain system. In addition to meeting domestic demand, China's wind and photovoltaic products have covered more than 200 countries and regions worldwide, and have become a truly global center for the new energy industry. The key components of global wind turbines and photovoltaic polycrystalline silicon, silicon wafers, battery cells, modules, etc. are mostly produced and manufactured in China. The growth of the industry has led a large number of new energy enterprises to participate in international cooperation, which has become the highlight of the cooperation in the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road".

China has made significant contributions to carbon reduction through new energy, and is an important leader and promoter in global efforts to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. In 2022, the installed capacity of renewable energy power generation per unit of GDP in China is about 663 watts/10000 US dollars, which is 2.1 times the global average and 4.8 times that of the United States. In 2022, China's renewable energy generation is equivalent to a direct reduction of about 2.26 billion tons of carbon emissions. The exported wind and photovoltaic products have reduced carbon emissions by about 570 million tons compared to other countries, accounting for approximately 41% of the global emissions reduction, which is 2.5 times, 4.1 times, 7.0 times, and 8.6 times that of the United States, Canada, India, and Germany, respectively.

The Baihetan Hydropower Station is located on the main stream of the Jinsha River and is equipped with 16 hydroelectric generators with a single unit capacity of 1 million kilowatts, making the station the largest single unit capacity in the world. The picture shows lifting the rotor of the unit.
Accurately grasping the new situation faced by China's high-quality development of new energy

Today, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is deepening, and global energy development is presenting new trends, characteristics, and patterns. We need to accurately grasp the future development trend, face difficulties, and continuously consolidate and enhance China's international leading advantage in the development of new energy.

Vigorously developing new energy and accelerating the low-carbon transformation of energy has become a common consensus and consensus among countries around the world. Firstly, countries generally attach importance to the development of new energy. Countries and regions such as the United States and the European Union have put forward plans to accelerate the development of new energy. The United States proposes "energy independence" by establishing bills and plans to promote the application of shale oil and gas technology, support renewable energy technologies, and provide funding and policy support for the new energy industry. The EU will vigorously develop new energy as a key focus in addressing climate change and promoting energy transformation, promote a package of green policies, and release the "EU Joint Action to Achieve Economic, Secure, and Sustainable Energy Supply" and "European Wind Power Action Plan", proposing measures to promote solar and wind energy, accelerate hydrogen deployment, increase biogas production, and increase investment to support the development of offshore wind power, green hydrogen, and renewable fuels. Japan hopes to lead the global hydrogen energy industry chain through a comprehensive and systematic layout, and has currently achieved a relatively leading position in hydrogen fuel cell research and development.

Secondly, new energy will become the main direction for future energy development. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations believes that in order to control global warming at around 1.5 ° C, renewable energy should account for 70% to 85% of electricity supply by 2050. Research by institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also indicates that 85% to 90% of global electricity generation by 2050 will come from renewable energy. The Sunshine Hometown Declaration on Strengthening Cooperation between China and the United States to Cope with the Climate Crisis in 2023, as well as the Global Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Commitment of the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, all propose efforts to triple the global installed capacity of renewable energy by 2030.

Thirdly, wind and photovoltaic power remain the mainstay of new energy development. According to calculations, the technological development of wind power in China exceeds 10 billion kilowatts, and the technological development of photovoltaic power generation exceeds 45 billion kilowatts. By 2060, carbon neutrality will be achieved, and the installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power in China will reach over 5 billion kilowatts, which is about 5 times the current total installed capacity. While expanding the installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power, major economies are focusing on conducting technological breakthroughs around cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Both the United States and the European Union are actively promoting technological innovation in perovskite and silicon-based photovoltaics, while focusing on the development of wind power towards high altitude, large-scale, and intelligent offshore areas.

The fourth is that energy storage and hydrogen energy are necessary support for the development of new energy. Wind and photovoltaic power generation is intermittent and highly volatile, and large-scale and high proportion access requires regulated power sources such as energy storage as support, in order to suppress or reduce the impact of unstable output of wind and photovoltaic power generation. New energy storage can store excess electricity during low demand periods and release it during peak demand periods, thereby balancing the daily grid load. Hydrogen energy is a clean and efficient secondary energy source that can be directly applied in fields such as transportation and industry. It can also be converted into stable chemical energy through electrolysis of water and stored for a long period of time. It can generate electricity again when needed in the power system, helping to improve the overall efficiency of China's energy system.

The fifth is that diversified integration is an important trend in the development of new energy. With the rapid development of new energy, energy production and consumption are shifting towards both centralized and decentralized approaches. Comprehensive energy services, mainly based on new energy, will widely provide energy services such as electricity, refrigeration and heating, and heat storage, forming a green energy supply and consumption model that integrates sources, networks, loads, and storage. At the same time, the economic viability of new energy and traditional energy complementary technologies such as hydrogen blending in gas turbines and ammonia blending in coal-fired power plants is expected to gradually improve. By replacing coal-fired and gas-fired power plants with fuels through ammonia blending and hydrogen blending, the carbon reduction effect will be effectively enhanced.

We must have a clear understanding of the challenges faced by China's high-quality development of new energy. One is that the external environment is becoming increasingly severe and complex. In recent years, the United States and Europe have attempted to seek dominance in the development of new energy through technology, standards, policies, and other means. On the other hand, they have frequently attacked our new energy enterprises in areas such as environment, trade, and human rights, viewing China as a major competitor to contain and suppress them. The United States and the European Union have boycotted my exports and imposed so-called "anti-dumping duties" on products such as photovoltaics and batteries. The United States has even invoked domestic law to impose sanctions on my related enterprises. In addition, some countries and regions also face obstacles to the entry of new energy products into China in order to protect their local industrial market share. In this regard, while firmly expanding opening up, we must strengthen situation analysis, improve our capabilities, promote the integration and development of international and domestic markets, accelerate the establishment of an international mutual recognition standard system, maintain a good external development environment, and seize the initiative of development.

The second is that demand pressure continues to increase. From the perspective of energy supply security, the current per capita energy consumption in China is far lower than that of developed countries, with per capita energy consumption about half of the average level in G7 countries and per capita electricity consumption about 1/5 of that in the United States. In the coming period, China's energy consumption will continue to maintain a rigid growth rate. According to research institutions, the total energy consumption in China will maintain an annual growth rate of about 2% in the coming years, equivalent to about 120 million tons of standard coal. If half of it is guaranteed by wind and photovoltaic power generation, an additional installed capacity of about 150 million kilowatts of wind and photovoltaic power generation will be required each year. From the perspective of promoting green and low-carbon transformation, the energy consumption of China's secondary industry accounts for about 70% of the total national energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions account for about 80% of the total national carbon emissions. The task of transforming the traditional energy structure is relatively difficult. We need to promote the establishment of new energy as soon as possible and form a safe and reliable alternative to traditional energy.

Thirdly, contradictions and constraints are highlighted. The development of new energy faces problems such as insufficient guarantee of land and other factors, and insufficient consumption capacity. The contradiction between the large-scale development of wind and solar power and the insufficient land and sea space is more prominent. The large-scale development of new energy has put forward higher requirements for the flexible regulation ability of the power system. The construction of new energy bases in the western region requires more ultra-high voltage transmission channels, which need to consider channel density, corridor tension, and the safety of the power grid. Some places also have some additional conditions when approving new energy projects. The non-technical cost reduction and efficiency increase of new energy have been affected, and it is necessary for various regions and departments to further strengthen policy coordination and factor guarantee, in order to create a better environment for the development of new energy.

The risk of being overtaken on bends has always existed. Currently, global new energy technologies are constantly being updated and iterated, such as in the photovoltaic industry, from polycrystalline silicon to monocrystalline silicon, heterojunction cells, thin-film cells, and perovskite cells, disruptive technologies emerge almost every 5 years. At present, China's perovskite battery technology is temporarily leading at the laboratory level, but has not yet been industrialized on a large scale. If the development speed of foreign perovskite battery industry exceeds expectations, China's photovoltaic industry may face being overtaken in a bend. In addition, some core components such as the main bearings of wind turbines and the chips of photovoltaic control systems in China have not yet been independently controllable, and key resources such as lithium and cobalt are also highly dependent on external sources. These situations require us to maintain a bottom line thinking, increase technological breakthroughs, and continuously consolidate and enhance China's leading advantage in new energy technology.

The 1 million kilowatt offshore wind farm at CGN Huizhou Port is the first one million kilowatt offshore wind power project in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area. The offshore wind farm can provide approximately 3 billion kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually.
Promote the high-quality development of new energy with greater efforts

Promoting the high-quality development of new energy with greater efforts is a long-term systematic project that requires coordinated planning and cooperation, increased innovation and deepening cooperation, and continuous promotion of new energy technology progress and industrial development.

Strengthen top-level design. Anchoring the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, adhering to systematic thinking, coordinating supply security and green development, further increasing policy supply on the basis of ensuring energy security, constructing a diversified green and low-carbon energy supply structure, and providing support and guarantee for the high-quality development of new energy. One is to strengthen planning guidance. Actively promote the implementation of modern energy system planning, power planning, renewable energy planning and other fields during the 14th Five Year Plan period, organize energy planning research, coordinate the planning of medium and long-term energy and electricity optimization layout, strengthen the connection between energy planning and national spatial planning, ecological and environmental protection planning, carry out power system design, ensure the rationality of key planning project schemes, and promote the coordination and balance of energy production and consumption in various regions and time periods across the country. The second is to continuously improve development policies. Further improve the responsibility weight system for renewable energy electricity consumption, and promote the decomposition of weights to key energy consuming industries or units. Research on setting reasonable utilization rates for wind and solar power in different provinces, guiding local governments to use consumption responsibility as the bottom line and reasonable utilization rate as the upper limit to orderly promote the development of wind and solar power. Thirdly, we will vigorously promote the consumption of green energy. On the basis of full coverage of green certificate issuance, we will promote the use of green certificates as the basic voucher for renewable energy consumption, and establish a sound mechanism for the synergy of green certificates, green electricity, and carbon markets. Expand the scale of non electric direct utilization of renewable energy, advocate green and low-carbon production and lifestyle, and increase the proportion of green energy in terminal energy consumption.

Solidly promote the construction of new energy infrastructure. Adapt to the needs of energy transformation, further build a new energy infrastructure network, implement renewable energy substitution actions, and consolidate the foundation of national new energy development and security. One is to continue promoting the rapid development of the wind and photovoltaic power generation system. We will adhere to both centralized and distributed approaches, with equal emphasis on land and sea, accelerate the construction of large-scale wind and solar power bases with a focus on deserts, Gobi, and desert areas, pilot the development of far-reaching offshore wind power, formulate integrated plans for water and solar power in major river basins across the country, organize and carry out the "Thousand Towns and Ten Thousand Villages Wind Control Action" and "Thousand Households Bathing in Light Action", and coordinate with the "Three North" Phase VI Project to promote photovoltaic desertification control, and promote the integration of oil and gas exploration and development with new energy development. Promote the development of new energy sources such as biomass energy, geothermal energy, and ocean energy according to local conditions. The second is to accelerate the construction of a new type of power system. Scientifically plan and orderly promote the construction of pumped storage power stations, promote the diversified and high-quality development of new energy storage, and actively carry out flexible transformation of thermal power. Accelerate the innovative application of ultra-high voltage flexible DC transmission technology, promote the intelligent transformation of power grid infrastructure and the construction of smart microgrids, carry out special actions for the high-quality development of distribution networks, study and improve the level of intelligent power dispatch, play the role of energy storage system regulation, and improve the acceptance, configuration, and regulation capabilities of the power grid for clean energy. The third is to strengthen the construction of charging infrastructure. Promote the construction of demonstration counties and townships for the application of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, accelerate the construction of a widely covered, structurally optimized, and functionally diverse charging infrastructure network system, and support the rapid development of new energy vehicles.

Vigorously promote energy technology innovation. Grasp the trend of a new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation, fully leverage the advantages of China's super large market and complete industrial system, and adhere to the principle of leading high-quality energy development through technological innovation. One is to strengthen investment in research and development in key areas. Strengthen the planning and layout of new energy technology research and development, coordinate scientific research efforts and resources, increase support for key common technology research and development platforms for new energy, focus on promoting efficient power generation technologies such as perovskite photovoltaics and large wind turbines, flexible DC transmission and distribution and smart grid technologies, energy storage technologies such as liquid flow batteries and compressed air, and innovation in hydrogen ammonia production, transportation, and storage technologies. The second is to promote the implementation of major national projects. Implement the 2030 "Smart Grid" major special project for technological innovation and the national key research and development plan for "renewable energy" and other energy fields, organize the application and evaluation of the first (set) major technical equipment in the fourth batch of energy fields, and accelerate the pace of domestication and substitution of key components and core materials. The third is to accelerate the application of advanced technologies. Support the commercialization of advanced technology, put forward corresponding requirements for the use of the first (set) and localized equipment in combination with the construction of major energy projects, improve the application level of advanced technology and the reliability, economy and progressiveness of localized equipment through large-scale application, and accelerate the formation of new quality production capacity.

Continuously deepen the reform of the energy system and mechanism. Coordinate effective markets and promising governments, and improve institutional mechanisms to adapt to the high-quality development of new energy. One is to promote energy governance in accordance with the law. Establish a sound energy legal and regulatory system, promote the introduction of energy laws, and accelerate the revision of renewable energy laws. Strengthen the construction of energy standard system, improve the relevant standards and technical specifications that lead the clean and low-carbon development of energy. Further optimize the business environment in the energy sector and enhance the innovative vitality of various business entities. The second is to improve and perfect the energy market system. Establish a unified national electricity market system and improve the organic linkage mechanism for medium - to long-term, spot, and auxiliary service trading in electricity. Adapt to the large-scale grid connection demand of new energy, further improve the basic rules of the electricity auxiliary service market and the green certificate green electricity trading mechanism, and promote green electricity consumption. Clarify the schedule and roadmap for various new energy projects to participate in the market, and promote the safe and orderly entry of new energy generation into the market. Research reform measures to promote the development of smart microgrids, actively cultivate new energy production and consumption formats and models for the development and utilization of new energy.

Strengthen international energy cooperation in all aspects. Guided by the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road", we will make full use of both domestic and international markets and resources to constantly optimize the mode and conditions of energy cooperation. One is to expand the new situation of diversified energy cooperation. The third "the Belt and Road" Energy Ministers' Meeting was held to accelerate the "the Belt and Road" green energy cooperation and promote the implementation of more green energy cooperation projects. We will coordinate and deepen energy cooperation between China and Russia, strengthen dialogue and cooperation on technological innovation in areas such as hydrogen energy, energy storage, wind power, and smart energy, and pragmatically carry out exchanges in the energy field between China and the United States. The second is to actively participate in global energy governance. Deepen cooperation with developing countries on green production capacity, actively promote the landing of projects such as wind power, solar power generation, and smart grid. Actively explore effective ways to engage in multi-party cooperation with developed countries, host countries, and multinational corporations, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with key energy resource countries. Develop a regional guide for global clean energy cooperation, continuously deepen green energy cooperation, strengthen power connectivity with neighboring countries, and promote the construction of a new model for green and low-carbon energy transformation and win-win cooperation. The third is to strengthen the international connection and mutual recognition of the standard system. Strengthen international cooperation in green and low-carbon energy technologies, standard formulation, and other areas, promote international recognition of renewable energy green power certificates, and effectively respond to the impact of carbon tariff policies in the United States and the West.

(The author is a member of the Party Group of the National Development and Reform Commission, Secretary and Director of the Party Group of the National Energy Administration)